Protein Bar

Hi,
Anybody been? Any thoughts? Any good? Just curious.
thanks

Protein Bar
235 South Franklin Street
Chicago, IL 60606
(312) 346-7300

352 N. Clark St.
Chicago, IL
(312) 527-0450

http://www.proteinbarchicago.com/

(edited to add other open location)

I've been several times, but I keep ordering the Greektown Burrito -- I haven't strayed from that one particular menu item. It's quite good and filling, very fresh ingredients. They do offer a frequent buyer card, which is good because I think it's a little pricey. The lines at lunchtime can be daunting. I try to go either around 11:30 or after 1:00 and always take my sandwich to go.

Suzy

My cousin just started working at the location on Franklin.

I love it - usually hit it for dinner when we are working late - it's quite popular during the dinner rush, too. Lots of people come in for smoothies/shakes and a quick, healthy dinner option, which is hard to find IMHO.

I am addicted to the buffalo bowl and wrap, usually with tofu. I really ought to try some more items, maybe the Greek Town will be on deck.

I should grab a frequent buyer card, thanks for the tip.

There will be a third location opening soon, just can't remember where - not too far, though.

miss ellen

smellen wrote:There will be a third location opening soon, just can't remember where - not too far, though.

It's on Washington, between Wells & Franklin, next to Med Kitchen...approx address of 221 W Washington.

clogoodie wrote:

smellen wrote:There will be a third location opening soon, just can't remember where - not too far, though.

It's on Washington, between Wells & Franklin, next to Med Kitchen...approx address of 221 W Washington.

Hopefully Protein Bar is better than its neighbor. I tried that Med Kitchen once...awful.

thanks for the posts. I went today and had the agaveq ba-rito. It was tasty and pretty healthy. For a healthy fast food option, I liked it and would go back.

I've eaten at the Franklin location many, many times. The food is definitely healthy and tasty, and prepared fresh to order. Usually I order a "Red Line" smoothie and a "Protein Bar-rito". My lunch companions usually order some kind of wrap or salad and have been pleased with those choices. Lately I've been adding a cup of the veggie chili too, since the drink and burrito sometimes leave me a bit hungry.

They are HUGE on quinoa so if you're averse to that grain this might not be the place for you. If you're a fan of low-carb, low fat and many vegan options, then definitely check this place out. Although you probably have if you work in the Loop and are health-conscious.

My only quibbles with the Franklin location is there is minimal seating, the lines can be long, the order process is unorganized at times and the prices are on the high end. I plan on frequenting the Washington location regularly over the Franklin location assuming the new space is larger and offers more seating. I believe the new River North location is larger than the flagship space.

Definitely take advantage of the punch card if you plan on returning!

I was a big fan of the original one on Franklin when they opened years ago, but they didn't have any lunch options. It was great for breakfast (love their oatmeal) and a post-work protein shake. Then our office moved and I was cut off.

I was very happy to see the second location just open up a block from our new office. Their oatmeal is still great. Of the lunch options, I tried some sort of bar-ito. It was decent and healthy, but I found it somewhat bland. Last week I tried one of their salads with quinoa on it and it was amazing. I'll be going back for that pretty frequently. I'm happy to see some new lunch options popping up near the Merchandise Mart too - long overdue!

Just had lunch ordered in from the Protein Bar on Friday. I have no idea what it costs, but I ordered the quinoa veggie chili bowl and a fruit cup. I'm a big veggie chili fan - I'll try it from almost any place - and theirs was very good. I love quinoa as well and that's not an easy thing to find in a loop lunch. The fruit cup was GOOD fruit - strawberries, blueberries and pineapple chunks. No lame-o bits of hard honeydew. I would recommend.

I've eaten there several times as it's blocks from my office. I've never been disappointed with anything on the menu. I like the Bar-rito. Definitely healthier and more filling than Chipotle. The quinoa chili is also a pleasant surprise. The owner is very passionate about the business and will chat with you about his product. He told me about his agave-based BBQ sauce a few months back. They have a frequent diner card so don't forget to ask for that.

It is pricey...I swear they just raised the prices on everything. My coworkers and I have noticed that the service has gotten slow recently. There will be 3 people waiting to make shakes when the line is out the door with people waiting for sandwiches and bowls. Some workers have the hipster vibe which means they feel like they're too cool to do any actual work. I just know to go at 11:15 or 2:00 now instead of the lunch rush.

Based on all of this recent talk I decided to check out Protein Bar for lunch today. I didn't come away terribly impressed.

I had the Greektown Bar-Rito, which I thought was fine. One of my olives still had a pit in it (and several blueberries in the fruit cup still had stems attached), and overall I didn't really find the thing all that flavorful. Obviously it's healthier than 95% of other Loop lunches, so they've got that going for them, but I'm not sure I see Protein Bar making its way into my regular rotation.

Some of the breakfast options looked intriguing, so I might give them another shot on the way in one morning.

Bumping this to add my 2 cents - reviewing the Protein Bar that recently open at State & Lake (Leo Burnett Building). I see I earlier reviewed the quinoa veggie chili bowl but have recently adjusted my diet to focus on higher protein/low carb option. I have to say I'm really not sure why this placed is called Protein Bar. Most of the food is high in carbs - wheat wraps, quinoa, smoothies, etc. Many of the dishes have more carb than protein.

So sticking to the chili, which seems the least-bad low-carb option, and adding avocado to get some good fats in there, I wasn't super-impressed. The chili without the balance of the nutty quinoa is bland, and a little sweet; frankly the chili around the corner at Catch & Carry is tastier.

My husband ate one of the burritos and dubbed it acceptable.

The place gets very crowded for carry out and sit-down during the lunch hour. It is not "fast." Quality control seems a bit lax: I ate in recently and returned my chili because it was served room temp. They did fix right away with the appropriate apologies.

I do give them props for very good iced tea. I may be visiting again as the weather warms up just for this! (although not during the lunch hour).

I definitely enjoy breakfast at Protein Bar more than lunch. Their oatmeal is really good, reasonably healthy, and keeps me full for a REALLY long time. I continue to be luke warm on the bar-ritos, and I hate saying that word when I order one.

The market juice- kale, parsely, & apple was perfect yesterday.

I wasn't wowed by my prior bowl of something with quinoa but I think I just don't love that grain.

How does this place compare the Pret a Manger, my current fave fast healthy food place? I walked by this place the other day (it was closed) and it looked interesting. I do really like the business model of pret a manger where if they don't sell the food the day they make it, they donate it to food depots, homeless shelters, etc. but I could be swayed based on deliciousness.

Haven't been to pret a manger yet. I will continue to go to Protein Bar for lovely juice when I'm not at home & until I buy a proper juicer, but I don't think it's destination worthy if you don't want green juice for breakfast, lunch, or a snack. I think it's awesome to have green juice in the Loop.

I don't do the bar-ritos but I love the Buffalo Tofu bowl or salad. It's addicting, something about the hot sauce and celery/blue cheese combo, ha it's a proven flavor combo.

It's hard to compare to Pret as they are serving very different items. Both fast/casual, but Protein Bar has wraps, salads and bowls which heavily rely on quinoa as the source of protein. So if you don't like quinoa, you might not like it here. Pret has a more standard approach, but very nice quality of ingredients. I also love that they do the 1/2 sammy or wrap, it's a great pick with a small soup.

At Protein Bar, there are hits and misses, but if you do find something you like, it's a healthy alternative (though I agree, just b/c it says Protein Bar in the name, doesn't mean low in carbs). Plus, I like that it was founded by a Chicagoan, so it's a truly local chain. I love that Pret came to the US, and their ethics of donating any unused food. So they both have upsides and downsides, give it a try and see if you find something you like. I also like that you can buy the GT's Kombucha @ Protein Bar, hard to find in the Loop.

I don't go for the juices/smoothies or breakfast since I usually eat breakfast at home.

Cheers!

smellen wrote:I don't do the bar-ritos but I love the Buffalo Tofu bowl or salad. It's addicting, something about the hot sauce and celery/blue cheese combo, ha it's a proven flavor combo.

I really dig this item also. Very good.

smellen wrote:
I don't go for the juices/smoothies or breakfast since I usually eat breakfast at home.

Cheers!

The last few days this has been the first meal & sometimes the 2nd of the day, I don't normally desire food or drink before 11 am, so breaking the fast tends to happen when I'm away from home.


The Hi-5 is even better than the Market Juice & I missed it so much, I know I'm getting that juicer soon so I can make it, & yes I already own a Vitamix.

Protein Bar, a predominantly downtown Chicago restaurant chain, is testing out its first neighborhood location next week.

A Lincoln Park spot at 1953 N. Clybourn Ave. is set to open Feb. 15. It's the only Chicago location to feature a kids' menu, with items such as chicken and cheddar cheese wraps and chocolate milk and chia seed drinks.

http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/ ... hood-debut

Protein Bar, a predominantly downtown Chicago restaurant chain, is testing out its first neighborhood location next week.

In addition to the nine (!) Chicago locations, are also Protein Bars in Schaumburg and Oakbrook, as well as four in Washington, D.C., one in Rockville, MD, and three in Colorado - two in Denver, and one in Boulder. Interesting growth pattern.

It's been a while since I've been. The turkey chili with quinoa is quite tasty.

The locally-based fast-casual health food chain Protein Bar will open two new Downtown locations in the fall: a 1,400-square-foot outpost at 151 N. Michigan Ave., and another at 33 S. Wabash Ave.

http://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20140604 ... -this-fall

Protein Bar to change name and menu to cater to consumers' changing tastes

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ ... story.html

Dave148 wrote:

Protein Bar to change name and menu to cater to consumers' changing tastes

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ ... story.html

So they're going to start serving meals that don't don't taste like sawdust?

There is a Protein Bar location inside the Fitness Formula Location on South Clinton. I may have reason to patronize it now.

They’re opening a branch in an out lot of Deerbrook Mall in March.